LABOUR AND DELIVERANCE – Sunday’s sermon

Labour and Deliverance

All Moms received a beautiful carnation this morning.

It is Mother’s Day – and I am writing this because it is important for me to rethink what our minister said today.

There were so many things that Harry spoke about today I am having trouble putting them together in my mind. So I will tell you the high points of what I learned.

There are many mothers in the Bible. Mothers were very important back in the days of the Israelites. They were their future and their reason for existing – to have children was important. Barrenness was considered a failure. Much prayer went into asking God for children.

Harry reminded us of three of the great matriarchs who were barren but bore children after prayer – Sarah, Rebecca, and Rachel.

And having children back then – not very safe – a great risk for the mother.

Then Harry started talking about raising kids – then and now. Not an easy task at either time. Mothers have always been very involved with their children and their futures. Even Mary tried to prevent bad things happening to Jesus and had to watch Him die.

Then Harry dove into the theology of child bearing. He showed us how in the garden of Eden when the serpent tempted Eve – the war between women and the devil began – and with her offspring as well.

“I will make your pains in childbearing very severe; with painful labor you will give birth to children. Pain and suffering would increase in child bearing” (Genesis 3:16 NIV).

But mankind has continued – women bear children  – not once but again and again. The suffering lasts for a moment – but the joy continues after the birth. That new life brings much joy.

The story of salvation comes about through labour pains.

A few analogies:

  • The Israelites – God brought them out of Egypt through trials and through water
  • The Old Testament shows us how the Messiah will come into the world – Kingdoms will rise and fall before this happens
  • And the Messiah comes – check out Revelation 12 – how a woman (Israel) and 12 stars (the 12 tribes) gave birth to our Saviour.

“A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth” (Revelation 12: 1-2 NIV).

Jesus speaks in “labour language” in John 16.

“A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy” (John 16:21-22).

Through grief will come joy.

There is a group called Roots of Empathy who work in elementary schools. Studies have shown that troubled kids who get involved with a baby on an ongoing basis will start to change their bad behaviours. This tiny being can make changes inside these troubled souls.

And of course Harry told us to look at our world – the growing pains of the earth – earthquakes, diseases, floods etc. – are but labour pains that will bring forth a new earth. God made the plan and it is in the works.

And lastly our experience (what we go through in life) helps us get closer to God and is preparing us for a new world, and a new life.

And that is labour and deliverance. Thanks Harry.

I will post the pod cast soon. Part 1 Labour and Deliverance.  Part 2 Labour and Deliverance.

Hope all Moms had a happy Mother’s Day.

Here are a few more Mother’s Day Posts.

Does God Care About Mother’s Day? – High Calling

Always Alleluia – great picture with a quote from Proverbs 31:18 – “her lamp does not go out at night”.

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6 comments

  1. What a great thought to consider the increasing natural disasters on earth as something to be feared, but as necessary growing pains! I hope you had a wonderful mothers’ day. Thanks so much for visiting and commenting on my blog too!
    ~Jo

    1. We are doing a Bible Study called Moving from Fear to Freedom by Grace Fox – excellent in showing how some fears are so irrational and really the only fear we need is of God (meaning “being in awe of”, “reverence”).
      Blessings,
      Jan

  2. What a great practice–to review Sunday’s sermon on your blog. I actually review Sunday’s sermon too, but for a different reason. I’ve been given the job of writing the sermon notes and making up discussion questions for our church’s home groups–called Life Groups. This means that I need to pay close attention and take notes! Very good for paying attention. I think you could complete my assignment very well!

    1. It makes sense to me to pay attention to the sermon and taking notes has always helped me. This just expands my knowledge of what was said. Thanks for comment.
      Blessings,
      Jan

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